Dish

Katie/jmac - is it okay to post the menu for snackbar's May 6th dinner with Pierre Robert?

I have a friend coming in for one night in the city. If you could pick anywhere in Center City, where would you go? My friend is an adventurous eater and wants a nice atmosphere. I feel like I am in a restaurant rut..Any suggestions? Thanks!

I'll be in before December 10th. Maybe tonight!

JonnyMac...Your special tasting menu sounds wonderful. I want to come (every week)! Can you confirm that the tasting is $70 and another $20 with wine? Let's see if I can fit this into my weekly budget I read that two of my other favorite chefs will be making guest appearances (Michael Solomonov and Marc Vetri). Do you have dates set for them yet? I think you are so talented! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! I will see you soon.

Great! Do you know if this applies to the entire restaurant? I know that originally he was just going to have the Pif night in the back room and when I asked if he would have the wonderful French music he didn't think that was possible. If it's the entire restaurant, that would be a different story. Thanks. ← I guess it would depend on how many reservations he gets for "Pif Night". If it's enough to fill the whole place, then why not!?

I just spoke with David Ansill and starting Sunday, Oct. 7, every Sunday will be "Pif at Ansill" night. It's 3 courses for $40. BYOB. Each month a different menu will be featured. Call 215.627.2485 for information and reservations. Below is the menu from last week... Let me know if you want to be on Ansill's mailing list. Pif at Ansill Sunday, November 11, 2007 Prix Fixe Dinner $40 Choice of one from each course Entrees Escargot “au Pif” Frisee Lardones Roasted Mussels with Rosemary Warm Figs with Goat Cheese Plate Principaux Hanger Steak with Mushrooms Lamb Two Ways Scallops with Truffle Coulis Chicken with Mustard Selection of Cheese or Dessert LaColombe Coffee

They are scheduled to be open to the public for dinner on Tuesday the 16th.

Dish, I've had a private love for Carmine's since moving to Wynnewood in 98... my wife hosted my surprise 40th brunch at the old darby road locale. I guess we have come fiull-circle, as one of our "significant courting" moments occurred over dinner at Marbles. I have always loved Carmine's menu, but will definitely miss the BYO freedom. The menu posted online looks similar to the Narberth menu... do you know if will there be any changes other than Carminethe Bar and Music? ← Hi phungi- Carmine's is one of my favorite places, too. I haven't been in over a month, so I am eagery awaiting the opening in Bryn Mawr. I believe that all of Carmine's great menu items will remain. But, I think he will be doing some new and exciting things, as well. I'll know more next week! I am also very excited about the blue's music. I think the Main Line could use a great place to hear music...now that The Point is gone. I am always careful about what I post here about my restaurant clients. I don't want to sound too promotional. So, let me know if I start to sound like I am working

I work with both places. So, here's the info... Margot BYOB opened last Saturday in Carmine's old Narberth location: 232 Woodbine Ave. Narberth, PA 19072 610-660-0160 And I cannot wait for Carmine's Creole & Blues Bar to open Tuesday, January 16th: CARMINE’S CREOLE CAFE & BLUES 818 W. Lancaster Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (610)520- 9100 www.carminescreole.com

I'm pretty sure that snackbar just started serving lunch. The food is great, very interesting and the vibe is very NYC....think hotel lobby. For people watching and one of the best burgers (imo) Rouge is always fun.

My favorite restaurant for a special occassion is Vetri. It's cozy and romantic. You can request the round table for two in the back. It does't get much better than that, in my opinion

Great idea! Thanks Katie.

Going tonight...on my way down there now!!!

I would love to go to Ralph's in S. Philly. But, my dining companion wants more upscale and is a vegetarian. I have a reservation at Pasion. Fork would be a good option, too!

I love Mercato, but they want a bar. I also love Pasion...But Guillermo is not there anymore. Do you think the food is still as good? I don't know anything about Mandoline. Tell me more

I can't believe it, but I am drawing a blank on where to take some friends from LA (music types) to dinner on Saturday. It'll be 4 of us. They are requesting a cool atmosphere, great food, not too loud and not too stuffy. Plus, we'll need a reservation...any ideas? Tangerine was thrown out there. But, I'm kind of over that place.

It's where Marbles used to be.

The food looks wonderful. I'm on my way!! Are they open on Sundays and Mondays?

I work with a lot of retsuarants on the Main Line, so I thought I'd chime in on this one... By the time you return, Susanna Foo's new restuarant may be open in St David's, which is just a few miles down the road from Ardmore. I drove by there the other night and it looks beautiful! Also in the area is 333 Belrose (an old client of mine). I guess they can be descibed as California contemporary. Tango, at the Bryn Mawr train station (and my new client) is also a good choice. A bit farther down the pike is George's. You must sit in the bar area. The dining room is too stuffy for me. If it's a cool night, they have a beautiful fireplace. The burgers and pizza are fab and the atmosphere is very cozy - like a French Chalet. And if you are up for venturing out a tiny bit farther, my new client, Nectar offers French Asain cuisine and the atmosphere is the coolest on the Main Line. Hope this helps!

I'm not too familiar with that neck-of-the-woods. But, if it's near Chadds Ford, you should go to the Gables. Great food, great decor. Special place. It's owned by the same people as Turk's Head Inn in West Chester...which is also very good. The Gables

I'll be saying "hi" Hi. LOL ← Rich, I would love to meet you. How will I find you?

I will be attending The Book & The Cooks John Ash event 333 Belrose. If anyone is in the burbs and feels like saying "hi"...let me know.

I wanted to report on the Friends & Family dinner at Ansill last night (the old Judy's at 3rd & Bainbridge). It's scheduled to open later this week or early next week. It's all small, very unusual plates. The food was incredible! Here's what we sampled... Grilled scallions with romesco sauce Spaetzle with spinach Scrambled duck egg with smoked trout, crème fraiche & chives Langoustines with truffle vinaigrette Poached bass, aromatic nage (corriander, fennel), saffron aioli Osso Bucco Sandwich Tuna pain bagnat (focaccia, tapenade, peppers, arugula, onion) Marrow crostini Taleggio cheese with sour cherry compote Plus 2 incrdible chocolate desserts This place is really something special. There is nothing like it here! 215.627.2485